BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The most celebrated athlete in the history of American sports was born in Baltimore, and on the 100th anniversary of the start of his professional career, there is a new exhibit at the Babe Ruth Museum.

Ron Matz has more on the story.

George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore, and now at the Babe Ruth Museum you can see 100 years of the Babe at the new exhibit.

“It’s the 100th anniversary of the Babe making the majors,” said Babe Ruth Museum Curator Shaun Herne. “We know it’s something special, so we wanted to do something that was going to be lasting.”

Executive Director of the Babe Ruth Museum and Birthplace Mike Gibbons says the exhibit is meant to commemorate the anniversary of Ruth playing in the Minor Leagues that would launch his career.

“That was back in 1914. Jack Dunn signed him to a contract to play on the Baltimore Orioles,” said Gibbons.

Gibbons also says there are never-before-seen artifacts are on display.

“We have his rookie card, that has been on display before, but it’s sport’s most valuable collectable,” said Gibbons. “The Babe Ruth rookie card showing him as a Baltimore Oriole pitcher in 1914. We also have the official scorebook of his first professional game.”

In addition, the museum has his marriage certificate from his wedding to Helen Woodford in Ellicott City and the rosary he carried until his death in 1948.

“We have on display here things the public has never seen before,” Gibbons said. “There is his rosary. He carried it with him all through his life to the point where he goes in the hospital, he’s dying and straps it over the bed post of his death bed.”

Adam Jones had a chance to swing one of Babe Ruth’s bats from the 1927 season when Ruth hit 60 home runs, which you can also see at the museum.

“Babe Ruth was a great athlete, but he became a cultural icon,” said Gibbons. “He sits atop the cultural Mount Rushmore of America.”

Ruth set 54 Major League Baseball records during his 23-year career. More information about the exhibit can be found here.